Growing up, we fell in love with music and often even idolized the artists by putting up posters, lip syncing to our favorite songs and if we were lucky, we got to see them live in concert. Being in between others who share a mutual love for an artist, singing and creating memories are moments you will cherish forever. Those who’ve been through it know what I’m talking about. And that was the case way before social media became a virtual reality, a place of support and connections.
While social media can be extremely time consuming, toxic and mentally heavy, it has also brought us a safe space. It gave us the opportunity to connect with people all around the world in the easiest way possible and build the most genuine friendships. Since the digital world catapulted into a virtual reality, fans have been able to share a mutual love for an artist online and they later met and reunited with them at concerts or a friendly get together. And yet, it is not something outsiders seem to understand or respect for the most part, but let me tell you something. I wouldn’t know my closest friends today without the concerts I’ve been to and the love for an artist we have shared over the years. It has given me a feeling of comfort, understanding and safety. I finally felt like I belonged, finding my extended family.
Staying in touch and connected through social media can be mentally beneficial for a lot of young people who otherwise would feel left out or misunderstood. And especially during the worldwide pandemic we’ve been confronted with, we were able to maintain our sanity through those mutuals we haven’t been able to see that often anyways, due to living all across the world. We were already used to the long distance connections and friendships we have built mostly virtually these days. Even though we have all missed attending concerts together – throwback to sitting in the queue all day to get that front row view – once we can go back to it, it will be an emotional rollercoaster. It has been a safe space for many of us that we have surely taken for granted before. Buying tickets to shows and sometimes even traveling for it seemed so easily possible. The day the stage doors open again, we will enter the venue with pure gratitude and happiness and will soak in every moment of the night.
Artists went above and beyond to still keep that strong connection to their fans, even when it was only virtual and socially distant. Music has been healing and comforting years before we knew it would become something we hold on to, trying to make it through these lonely days. And while finding a piece of hope and safety in that, we had mutuals to lean on to who shared that same feeling. How great is that? We got together for fan projects, kept ourselves as busy as possible and had something to get excited about. There wasn’t much to look forward to, but being a part of a fandom can be a full-time job. As much as we are a part of an extended family, we also became a team of valuable assets with individual skill sets. Working together and supporting our favorite artists is a great gift and a great way to grow personally and professionally. Of course it can get competitive and toxic from time to time, but at the end of the day we have to remember why we all started in the first place and who we are doing it for. Fans can become a force when they unite their skills and voices and it is that underrated power that deserves to be highly appreciated and applauded.
I would not be who or where I am today without Rita Ora and the amazing friendships I was blessed with thanks to her. A few of them aren’t just mutuals from all around the world I connected with. I found sisters and genuine friends for life who will walk my path of life with me, attend my wedding some day and be great aunts and trust people to my future children. I won’t mention their names, but you know who you are. Thank you for making life easier and worth living. And this is the beauty the word mutuals can hold and its value is reflected in the healed hearts and smiling faces of those who were gifted with an exceptional blessing.
ROARA Magazine 